Free copies of Jerry Craft's books to TX students

Hi--

A few weeks ago, a petition to ban books by graphic novelist Jerry Craft resulted in the postponement of his previously scheduled virtual appearance with a school in Texas. This event was open to to students but not mandatory. His wonderful books NEW KID and CLASS ACT are now "under review" throughout the school district. You can read more about this here in the Houston Chronicle and here on CNN.com.

NEW KID was the first graphic novel to win the prestigious Newbery Medal, it won the Coretta Scott King Award and was a New York Times bestseller. Both books are beloved by children and parents alike, allowing children of color to feel seen, fostering conversations about micro-aggressions, race, belonging and masterfully fulfill Craft's own goal for his books, which is to help: "kids become the kind of readers that I never was; letting kids see themselves on my pages; and showing kids of color as just regular kids."

We are partnering with Kindred Stories -- an independent bookstore committed to amplifying Black voices and bringing diverse stories from throughout the African diaspora to their local community in Houston, Texas -- to offer public school teachers and librarians in Texas free copies of NEW KID and CLASS ACT.

$3,000 will cover the cost of a bulk order for 100 copies of each book, as well as shipping anywhere in Texas to those who request copies. Once the copies are in, we will put out a call on social media for public school teachers and librarians to DM us with their mailing addresses and will ship them their copies.

We hope you will join us in giving Texas kids the chance to fall in love with these books like our family has.

Thanks,

The Bastagli-Pattersons

(Ages 8 to 48)